MATTHEW LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Passion for Automotive Design

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The PVGPs new sponsor for the Winners Circle…Hofbrauhaus!PVGP racecars at Hofbrauhaus

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix received a special honor from its new sponsor Hofbrauhaus last evening in the form of a keg party. In my book, that’s not a bad way to kick a relationship off. Every first Wednesday of the month, Hofbrauhaus holds a keg tapping party. For July, Grand Prix month, they opened their official beer for the PVGP and the party was intense.

John & Dotti Bechtol’s 1972 Alfa Romeo SpiderPVGP MGA

Several sports cars were on display just outside the building and quite a few of the PVGP volunteers and supporters were on hand to help get the celebration started. The food was superb and the beer fantastic! Since most of us had never been to a keg tapping party like this, we were all in for a great treat filled with music, many many toasts, a parade, and some Grand Prix Pilsner.

Jim Southwood’s 1972 Porsche 911 T

At the end of the evening it was clear. These lads know how to party and they are very enthusiastic in their support of the PVGP. The winners circle will be hopping this year for sure so if you’re competing, you might want to drive a little harder and get on the podium. This is sizing up to be a perfect relationship for both Hofbrauhaus and the PVGP.

Live entertainmentAwaiting the keg tappingThe parade

Dan DelBianco rallying the crowdMembers of the PVGP prepare for the keg tappingThe PVGP Pilsner is served

It’s never too early to start counting down to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. It’s one of those events that you look forward to attending shortly after the last one ended. If you could experience sensory overload from too much automotive exposure – which is impossible by the way – this would be the event to subject you to it. You have everything from black-tie and casual parties to rallyes, shows and full on racing. It literally has everything. With that in mind, it only makes sense to take a look back at last year’s Kick-Off Rallye as that is the event that gets the giant wheels of this machine rolling.

Righthand drive MiniInside the 1961 Chevy Impala

The Kick-Off Rallye is a great way to start things off. It’s casual fun that offers participants a way to socialize and admire each other’s cars as well engage in some spirited competitive driving. Everything on wheels is acceptable for this event. The past rallyes have hosted the quick and nimble like the MG Midget and Porsche 914 as well as giants like the 1936 Packard and a very impressive 1973 Dodge Monaco. I think there was even a delivery van one year. The streets fill with everything and it makes for great fun and much conversation from participants and spectators alike.

Stunning MGA

Driving the course is always a mystery. The clues are clever and keep you on your toes as you try to stay on track while answering questions along the way. If that gets to be burdensome, you can always skip right to the end, get comfortable with a beverage and watch everyone as they roll in. Since the cars are all numbered, it’s a bit fun to see what order they arrive. I guarantee it’s never in order. Not even close. I try to shoot this throughout the event and use the numbers as a gauge to determine how far along things are. That is always a mistake. The route invariably gets people turned around at some point and that includes me, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. Oh and as a side note, should you see me along the route and decide to follow believing I know where I’m going, big mistake. I generally don’t know where I’m going and never get advance notice as to the route. Plus, I often double back as I bounce around trying to photograph everyone.

The large and in charge Dodge Monaco

So do join in if you are able as you won’t regret it. Check out the rest of the photos in this posting and follow this link for more. All shots are available for purchase and a portion of the proceeds will be going to the charities that benefit from the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Also, keep checking in as I will be featuring other events as we get closer to this year’s start and will be posting throughout the Grand Prix once it is underway. Enjoy and hope to see you on the road!